Can I use a different sized pan for these sugar cookie bars?

Yes, you can! An 9x13 pan will work, but your bars will be thicker and require a few extra minutes of baking time. Check for doneness when the edges start to turn golden and the center looks set but still slightly soft.

Why did my bars turn out dry?

Dry bars usually indicate overbaking or too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling off, rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. And remember, the bars will continue to set as they cool!

Can I make these bars without cream cheese?

While cream cheese gives these bars their distinctive soft texture and slight tanginess, you can substitute with an additional 1/2 cup of butter. The flavor and texture will be different, but still delicious.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be just turning golden, while the center might still look slightly underdone. This is perfect! The residual heat will finish cooking the bars as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Name: Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1 cup butter, room temperature; 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature; 1 egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

These Sugar Cookie Bars transform the classic sugar cookie into a delightfully soft, chewy treat that’s ready in half the time! No chilling, rolling, or cutting required – just press the dough into a pan, bake, and slice. Topped with a creamy layer of frosting, these bars deliver all the flavor you love about traditional sugar cookies with a fraction of the effort. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a sweet treat but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Time-Saver: Forget the rolling pin and cookie cutters! These bars come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Crowd-Pleaser: The soft, buttery texture and sweet vanilla flavor make these bars irresistible to kids and adults alike.
Customizable: Change up the frosting colors for holidays, add sprinkles for birthdays, or mix in extracts for different flavor profiles.
Foolproof: Even if you’re new to baking, this straightforward recipe delivers perfect results every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: Creates that rich, tender texture we all love in sugar cookies. Make sure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming.
Cream Cheese: The secret ingredient that gives these bars their incredible softness and slight tanginess that balances the sweetness.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that signature sugar cookie flavor and slightly crisp edges.
Egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture to the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Brings that warm, aromatic flavor that’s essential to classic sugar cookies.
Flour: The foundation of our bars – provides structure and that tender crumb.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the bars just the right amount of lift while keeping them dense and chewy.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to make these bars your own? Try these delicious twists:

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough and replace vanilla with lemon extract. Top with lemon-flavored frosting.
Almond Joy Bars: Mix in 1/2 cup shredded coconut and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract alongside the vanilla.
Funfetti Bars: Fold in 1/3 cup colorful sprinkles to the batter before baking for a festive look.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to transform these into a hybrid treat.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 15x10x1 jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, making sure to create overhangs on the sides for easy removal. Give the foil a light spray with cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In your mixer, cream together the room temperature butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until completely incorporated.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix just until combined—no longer! Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour and make your bars tough.

Step 4: Press and Bake

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan. The dough will be sticky, so slightly dampening your hands with water can help prevent sticking as you press it out. Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. The center might look slightly underdone, but it will set as it cools.

Step 5: Cool Completely

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting. This usually takes about an hour. For faster cooling, you can place the pan in the refrigerator after it’s cooled for about 15 minutes at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and egg are at room temperature for the smoothest batter.
Don’t Overbake: These bars should be soft in the center when done. They’ll continue cooking slightly as they cool.
Even Thickness: Take time to press the dough evenly into the pan for bars that bake uniformly.
Cool Completely: Patience is key! Frosting warm bars will result in a melty mess. Allow them to cool fully before adding frosting.

How to Serve

These versatile sugar cookie bars can be enjoyed in numerous ways:

Simple Serving

Cut into squares and serve as is for a perfect after-school snack or casual dessert.

Dressed Up

Add a layer of buttercream frosting in your favorite color, then top with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or crushed candy for special occasions.

Dessert Platter

Serve alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for an impressive dessert platter at gatherings.

Ice Cream Topping

Crumble a bar over vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store unfrosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If frosted, refrigerate for up to a week. Let refrigerated bars come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Frosted bars can be frozen in single layers with parchment paper between layers.

Reheating

These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you want that fresh-baked warmth, microwave an unfrosted bar for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Can I use a different sized pan for these sugar cookie bars?

Yes, you can! An 9×13 pan will work, but your bars will be thicker and require a few extra minutes of baking time. Check for doneness when the edges start to turn golden and the center looks set but still slightly soft.
Why did my bars turn out dry?

Dry bars usually indicate overbaking or too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling off, rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. And remember, the bars will continue to set as they cool!
Can I make these bars without cream cheese?

While cream cheese gives these bars their distinctive soft texture and slight tanginess, you can substitute with an additional 1/2 cup of butter. The flavor and texture will be different, but still delicious.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be just turning golden, while the center might still look slightly underdone. This is perfect! The residual heat will finish cooking the bars as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

Final Thoughts

These Sugar Cookie Bars are my go-to dessert when I’m craving something sweet but don’t have time for fussy baking. They capture all the magic of traditional sugar cookies with a fraction of the effort. The cream cheese in the dough creates an incredibly tender texture that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a school function, holiday gathering, or just because it’s Tuesday, these bars are guaranteed to disappear quickly! Give them a try and watch them become your new favorite easy dessert.